A lottery is available for permits to collect firewood at Rocky Mountain National Park

From a press release

Posted:
09/05/2012 10:53:10 AM MDT

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK - Permits are available by lottery to collect firewood generated from hazard tree removals and fuel reduction projects within Rocky Mountain National Park.

Collection dates for west side firewood begins Friday, Sept. 21 through Oct. 3. Collection dates for east side firewood will vary based on location but the first collection period begins Monday, Oct. 1 and extends through Sunday, Oct. 14.

Another collection period begins Wednesday, Oct. 10 and extends through Sunday, Oct. 28. Some wood collection zones will not be available for collection on weekends and some will be weekends only.

For east side permits, if additional wood is still available after the end of each collection period, additional names may be drawn from the lottery and more permits issued. Persons need only apply one time for a firewood permit; lottery draws will be made from this single pool of applicants.

A $20 non-refundable administrative fee will be charged for the permit to remove up to five cords of firewood on the east side. A $10 nonrefundable administrative fee will be charged for the permit to remove up to five cords of firewood on the west side. Permit holders have no guarantee for a total of five cords since the collection of wood is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who collect early will be more assured of the quantity and quality of available wood as well as ease of access.

Lottery winners for west side firewood should anticipate that Trail Ridge Road may be closed during the collection dates.

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Firewood collection sites vary based on location of firewood and will be provided to lottery winners when they pick up their permits.

In some areas the firewood has not been cut into manageable lengths and will require a chainsaw. Some areas will allow trailers and chainsaw use and others will not.

To sign up for the lottery for a firewood permit (one entry per physical address/family), email the following information to ROMO_Firewood@nps.gov by Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 10 p.m. 1) In the subject line of your email: designate your desired collection area of east or west, then your last name, then your first name (ie: East, Smith, Joh). 2) In the body of your email: Your name, physical address and phone number.

Names selected for the lottery will be posted on the park’s website Friday, Sept. 21, at www.nps.gov/romo/parknews/lottery_results_firewood_permits.htm. Lottery winners can obtain permits in person with a photo I.D. and proof of physical address at the Backcountry Office adjacent to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center near Estes Park or at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center north of Grand Lake beginning Friday, Sept. 21.

Permits will be issued daily from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Payment must be made with cash in the exact amount or a personal check. Permits not claimed and picked up within five days prior to the start of the collection period will be given to the next name on the list. Wood is primarily lodgepole and ponderosa pine.

To receive more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, call the park’s Information Office at 586-1206.